The first ever Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards were held on November 3, 2016 in Brooklyn, with Penn Jillette handling the hosting duties. Winners were voted on by members of the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association, and after the votes were tallied O.J.: Made in America was this year’s big winner. 13th from director Ava DuVernay also received multiple awards including a win in the best political documentary.
The Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards also recognized Danny Fields (Danny Says), Iggy Pop (Gimme Danger), Kirsten Johnson (Cameraperson), Owen Suskind (Life, Animated), Sharon Jones (Miss Sharon Jones!), Steve Gleason (Gleason) and Theo Padnos (Theo Who Lived) with Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary awards.
WINNERS OF THE INAUGURAL CRITICS’ CHOICE DOCUMENTARY AWARDS:
Best Documentary (Theatrical Feature) – O.J.: Made in America
Best Director (Theatrical Feature) – Ezra Edelman – O.J.: Made in America
Best Documentary (TV/Streaming) – 13th
Best Director (TV/Streaming) – Ava DuVernay – 13th
Best First Documentary (Theatrical Feature) – Jack Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg – Weiner
Best First Documentary (TV/Streaming) – (TIE) – Jacob Bernstein and Nick Hooker – Everything Is Copy – Nora Ephron: Scripted and Unscripted, and Deborah Esquenazi – Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four
Best Political Documentary – 13th
Best Sports Documentary – O.J.: Made in America
Best Music Documentary – The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years
Best Song in a Documentary – “I’m Still Here” – Miss Sharon Jones – Written by Sharon Jones – Performed by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Best Limited Documentary Series – O.J.: Made in America
Best Ongoing Documentary Series – 30 for 30
Most Innovative Documentary – The Tower
